NATE HEAT PUMP SPECIALTY
CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWERS(VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary function of a heat pump?
A. Generate heat by combustion
B. Transfer heat from one location to another
C. Create heat through electrical resistance only
D. Circulate indoor air
Answer: B
Rationale: Heat pumps move heat rather than create it, making them energy
efficient.
2. In heating mode, where does a heat pump absorb heat from?
A. Indoor air
B. Indoor coil
C. Outdoor air or ground
D. Compressor
Answer: C
Rationale: Even cold outdoor air or ground contains usable heat energy.
3. Which component reverses refrigerant flow in a heat pump?
A. TXV
B. Accumulator
C. Reversing valve
D. Contactor
,Answer: C
Rationale: The reversing valve changes system operation between heating and
cooling.
4. During heating mode, the outdoor coil functions as a:
A. Condenser
B. Evaporator
C. Receiver
D. Accumulator
Answer: B
Rationale: The outdoor coil absorbs heat, causing refrigerant to evaporate.
5. Which refrigerant state enters the compressor?
A. High-pressure liquid
B. High-pressure vapor
C. Low-pressure liquid
D. Low-pressure vapor
Answer: D
Rationale: Compressors are designed to compress vapor, not liquid.
6. What device protects the compressor from liquid refrigerant?
A. Filter drier
B. Accumulator
C. TXV
D. Receiver
Answer: B
Rationale: Accumulators store excess liquid to prevent compressor damage.
7. What happens to refrigerant pressure across the compressor?
A. Decreases
B. Remains constant
C. Increases
D. Drops to zero
Answer: C
Rationale: Compression raises both pressure and temperature.
, 8. Defrost mode is required because:
A. Indoor coil overheats
B. Outdoor coil accumulates frost
C. Compressor stops
D. Refrigerant freezes
Answer: B
Rationale: Frost reduces heat transfer efficiency on the outdoor coil.
9. Which sensor commonly initiates defrost?
A. Indoor thermostat
B. Outdoor coil temperature sensor
C. Humidistat
D. Pressure switch
Answer: B
Rationale: Coil temperature indicates frost buildup conditions.
10.In defrost mode, the system operates temporarily in:
A. Heating mode
B. Cooling mode
C. Emergency heat mode
D. Ventilation mode
Answer: B
Rationale: Cooling mode sends hot gas to the outdoor coil to melt frost.
11.What type of heat pump uses the earth as a heat source?
A. Air-source
B. Dual-fuel
C. Ground-source (geothermal)
D. Absorption
Answer: C
Rationale: Geothermal systems exchange heat with the ground.
12.COP is a measure of:
A. Electrical resistance
CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWERS(VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary function of a heat pump?
A. Generate heat by combustion
B. Transfer heat from one location to another
C. Create heat through electrical resistance only
D. Circulate indoor air
Answer: B
Rationale: Heat pumps move heat rather than create it, making them energy
efficient.
2. In heating mode, where does a heat pump absorb heat from?
A. Indoor air
B. Indoor coil
C. Outdoor air or ground
D. Compressor
Answer: C
Rationale: Even cold outdoor air or ground contains usable heat energy.
3. Which component reverses refrigerant flow in a heat pump?
A. TXV
B. Accumulator
C. Reversing valve
D. Contactor
,Answer: C
Rationale: The reversing valve changes system operation between heating and
cooling.
4. During heating mode, the outdoor coil functions as a:
A. Condenser
B. Evaporator
C. Receiver
D. Accumulator
Answer: B
Rationale: The outdoor coil absorbs heat, causing refrigerant to evaporate.
5. Which refrigerant state enters the compressor?
A. High-pressure liquid
B. High-pressure vapor
C. Low-pressure liquid
D. Low-pressure vapor
Answer: D
Rationale: Compressors are designed to compress vapor, not liquid.
6. What device protects the compressor from liquid refrigerant?
A. Filter drier
B. Accumulator
C. TXV
D. Receiver
Answer: B
Rationale: Accumulators store excess liquid to prevent compressor damage.
7. What happens to refrigerant pressure across the compressor?
A. Decreases
B. Remains constant
C. Increases
D. Drops to zero
Answer: C
Rationale: Compression raises both pressure and temperature.
, 8. Defrost mode is required because:
A. Indoor coil overheats
B. Outdoor coil accumulates frost
C. Compressor stops
D. Refrigerant freezes
Answer: B
Rationale: Frost reduces heat transfer efficiency on the outdoor coil.
9. Which sensor commonly initiates defrost?
A. Indoor thermostat
B. Outdoor coil temperature sensor
C. Humidistat
D. Pressure switch
Answer: B
Rationale: Coil temperature indicates frost buildup conditions.
10.In defrost mode, the system operates temporarily in:
A. Heating mode
B. Cooling mode
C. Emergency heat mode
D. Ventilation mode
Answer: B
Rationale: Cooling mode sends hot gas to the outdoor coil to melt frost.
11.What type of heat pump uses the earth as a heat source?
A. Air-source
B. Dual-fuel
C. Ground-source (geothermal)
D. Absorption
Answer: C
Rationale: Geothermal systems exchange heat with the ground.
12.COP is a measure of:
A. Electrical resistance
